Waterproof and buoyant rod and reel carrying case and seat cushion combination

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a soft and durable carrying case for transporting one or more fishing rods (typically a 2 piece rod) and reels that affords protection as well as buoyancy if dropped in the water. The inner foam material is specially made, placed and secured into the nylon shell to aid in buoyancy and protecting the rods and reels from damage. The carrying case can also be used to transport other types if equipment that are a maximum of 43 inches in length. The present invention can be reconfigured into a seat cushion after taking out the rods and reels. Said seat cushion is designed in such a manner as to prevent pain to the tailbone. The dual usage capability of the present invention allows for the consumer to alleviate 2 problems (carrying a fishing rod and reel easily) and preventing pain to the tailbone when sitting down while fishing. Another feature of the present invention is a 3rd or 4th use whereby, the carrying case can be further reconfigured as a blanket or poncho. The case is made of nylon, polyester and foam construction or other suitable materials for cushioning and warming effect.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/460,619, filed Oct. 23, 2014, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a soft case for transporting a maximum 43 inchlong per piece fishing rod (typically a 2 piece rod) and reel ormultiple rods and reels that affords rod protection as well as buoyancyof the case if dropped in the water. Also, the case can be refolded intoa seat cushion after taking out the rods and reels. Said cushion isdesigned in such a manner as to prevent pain to the tailbone. The dualusage capability of the present invention allows for the consumer toalleviate 2 problems (carrying a fishing rod and reel easily) andpreventing pain to the tailbone when sitting down while fishing. Anotherfeature of the carrying case is that it can be used as a blanket orponcho. The case is made of nylon, polyester and foam construction orother suitable materials for cushioning and warmth effect.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is specifically designed to act in a myriad ofmodes e.g., carrying fishing rods and reels, convert to a seat cushionfor use while fishing, use as a blanket after fishing to keep warm orfor sleep, and a poncho to protect against the elements.

To eliminate the sinking of the device if dropped in water, a foamelement is employed for rod protection as well as to as facilitate thebuoyancy of the carrying case. Fishing rods and reels can be familyheirlooms or expensive and loss by sinking is a reality that isprevented by the present invention while, the rods and reels are in thepresent invention.

In addition, the present invention to provide the following benefits notencompassed by the prior art:

1. Can be transportable and/or mobile:

2. Can be self-contained unit to serve as a multitude of functions:

3. In contrast to other carrying apparatus, which perform one function.

4. The present invention can be transformed into a seat cushion for usewhile fishing, boating, camping etc.

5. The present invention can be used as a poncho in a third embodimentin which a zippered hole is constructed to allow for protection againstthe elements when the rod and reels are removed.

Another key feature of the Invention relates to the function of a ponchoor rain gear when not employed as a rod and reel carrier or seatcushion. This feature is unique to the present invention and not seenwith other rod and reel carriers.

A further key feature of the present Invention involves is the buoyancyof the device whether the rods and reels are being carried, or used as aseat cushion The device will not sink due to the foam insulationmaterial and construction of the device employing “hook and loop” and/orzipper closures.

The present invention has several compartments that allow for storageand placement of more than one rod and reel of varying sizes. Thecarrier can hold up to 4 rod and reels, and still comport with thebuoyancy aspect of the invention. A fisherman may have multiple rods andreels that need transporting, or just one. The present invention allowsfor this choice. Also, for convenience of carrying their rods and reelsto and from their car. Further, the present invention can bereconfigured or made larger to accommodate deep sea fishing thatrequires larger rods and reels.

The foam insert is made of a special material that allows for buoyancywhile, maintaining its foam qualities for use as a blanket or seatcushion. In combination with the nylon outer shell, makes for the waterproof aspect and floating ability. The foam insert also protects therods and reels from damage when dropped.

Further, the present invention can be made with -hook and loop”fasteners that allow for quicker and easier wrapping and unwrapping therods and reels, converting into the seat cushion and poncho. The use of-hook and loop” does not affect the buoyancy of the invention, and stillmaintains the non-sinking feature of the invention when loaded with rodsand reels. The present invention will not sink when empty.

The present invention can hold up to 4.5 pounds of rods and reelswithout sinking if, dropped into a lake, stream or ocean. The weight of4.5 pounds is a standard weight for 4 rods and reels.

The present invention can be used to carry other equipment that arelinear at 43 inches in length maximum per piece such as, rifles,shotguns, bows and arrows, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Normal carrying cases are made of rigid material such as leather,plastic or metal, and have a propensity to sink. Most are rectangular inshape and do not serve other purposes like the present invention.Further, other prior art devices are usually not water-proof or made ofmaterial to prevent the case from sinking if dropped into the water.While most prior art carriers can protect against the weather, most arenot water tight and cannot be used for other purposes, such as ablanket, poncho or seat cushion. Most prior art rod and reel carriersare one-dimensional.

An example is U.S. Pat. No. 7,877,922 to Petrie et al that describes aweather tight storage device and carrier for a single or multiple rodsthat attach to a vehicle roof, and can be dismounted and carried to adesired location. This is a limited, one-dimensional use and does nothave other uses such as the present invention.

Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,481 to Garcia which describes ahard shell case for an assembled fishing rod and reel that includesforward and rearward rod cover tubes and a laterally hinged reel case.This prior art is specifically designed to protect and carrier the rodsand reels, and has no other uses.

Lastly, a final example of a one-dimensional use rod and reel carrier isU.S. Pat. No. 6,343,728 to Carbone which describes a support bag for theenclosure and controlled support of a fishing rod and reel arrangement.The elongated flexible enclosure bag has a first end and a second end,each of the ends being open for receipt of a fishing rod therethrough.The enclosure bag is defined by a first and a second multilayersidewall. A reel-enclosing pouch compartment is located adjacent thefirst end of the elongated bag, arranged to protectively enclose thereel.

This invention does not have the buoyancy feature of the presentinvention, and lacks the multi-use features of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention that is shown in the closed position after placementof the rod and reels.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention that is shown lying flat and without any rod and reels.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of FIG. 1 of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention showing the slots for placing the rods and reels priorto closing the carrier.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention showing the first folding or closing procedure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention after the first folding or closing procedure.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating the second folding or closing procedure.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention after the second folding or closing procedure.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention showing the last folding or closing aspect prior to transport.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention showing the carrying case prior to being reconfigured into aseat cushion.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the second embodiment of the present inventionshowing the case prior to the second folding procedure for reconfiguringinto a seat cushion.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the second embodiment of thepresent invention showing the second folding procedure for reconfiguringthe carrying case into a seat cushion.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the second embodiment of the present inventionafter the second folding procedure for reconfiguring the carrying caseinto a seat cushion.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the second embodiment of the present inventionshowing the last folding procedure for reconfiguring the carrying caseinto a seat cushion.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention with zippers.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention with hook and loop fasteners.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention showing placement of rods and reels.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention showing placement of rods and reels and other equipment.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the third embodiment of the present inventionshowing the poncho configuration.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 22-24 show the placement of the padding in the all embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the second embodiment of present inventionshowing a person sitting on the cushion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a wayto store, protect and carrier fishing rods and reels.

FIG. 1 illustrates the present invention containing the rods and reelsforming the waterproof and buoyant feature as described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention without the rods and reels andshowing the nylon shell material as described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates the present invention without the rods and reels andshowing the reverse side foam material with the slits for placing therods and reels between the foam inserts as described herein.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the present invention without the rods andreels and showing the closing procedure as described herein.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the present invention without the rods andreels and showing the final closing procedure prior to the use of thezipper or hook and loop fasteners as described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates the present invention without rods and reels closedprior to transport as described herein.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the second embodiment of the present inventionshowing the folding procedure to convert from a rod and reel carrier toa seat cushion as described herein.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 illustrate the second embodiment of the presentinvention showing the final folding procedure as described herein.

FIGS. 14-17 illustrate the second embodiment of the present inventionwith the zipper or hook and loop fasteners as described herein.

FIG. 18 illustrates the present invention containing the rods and reelsas described herein.

FIG. 19 illustrates the present invention containing other fishingequipment as described herein.

FIG. 20 illustrates the third embodiment of the present invention asdescribed herein.

FIG. 21 illustrates the fourth embodiment of the present invention asdescribed herein.

Different embodiments may include different numbers of other usesdescribed herein.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and the modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A carrier adapted to store at least one piece ofoutdoor equipment, such as fishing equipment, rifles, shotguns, bows,arrows and the like, the carrier comprising: (a) a waterproof outershell having an inner surface and an outer surface; and (b) at least onefastening element coupled to the outer shell; (c) wherein the waterproofouter shell is adapted to be disposed between first condition in whichthe outer shell is in a generally flat configuration, a second conditionin which the outer shell is in at least one of a generally folded andgenerally rolled configuration, and a third condition in which the outershell is in a poncho-like configuration, the outer shell being retainedin the second and third conditions by the at least one fasteningelement.
 3. The carrier as claimed in claim 2 wherein the waterproofouter shell includes a central opening through which can be inserted thehead of a user when the outer shell is in the third condition.
 4. Thecarrier as claimed in claim 3 wherein the central opening is adapted tobe selectively secured closed.
 5. The carrier as claimed in claim 4wherein the central opening is adapted to be selectively secured closedby at least one fastening element.
 6. The carrier as claimed in claim 5wherein the central opening is adapted to be selectively secured closedby a zipper.
 7. The carrier as claimed in claim 6 wherein theponcho-like configuration includes a central torso section and a pair ofopposing sleeve members.
 8. The carrier as claimed in claim 7 whereinthe at least one fastening element includes hook and loop fasteners. 9.The carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the outershell is provided with at least one of a plurality of slots, cutouts,and hook and loop fasteners through which the at least one piece ofoutdoor equipment can be inserted and secured.
 10. The carrier asclaimed in claim 9 wherein, with the at least one piece of outdoorequipment inserted through the at least one of the plurality of slots,cutouts, and hook and loop fasteners in the outer shell, configurationof the outer shell in its second condition serves to substantiallyenclose the at least one piece of outdoor equipment.
 11. The carrier asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the at least one of the plurality of slots,cutouts, and hook and loop fasteners defines several compartments thatallow for the storage and placement of multiple pieces of outdoorequipment.
 12. The carrier as claimed in claim 11 wherein the at leastone of the plurality of slots, cutouts, and hook and loop fasteners isarranged such that the outer shell is adapted to receive and retain fourseparate pieces of outdoor equipment in a generally parallelrelationship.
 13. The carrier as claimed in claim 12 wherein the outershell comprises a waterproof layer constructed out of at least one of anylon and polyester material.
 14. The carrier as claimed in claim 13wherein the outer shell comprises at least one foam insert disposedinside the waterproof layer.